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Severe scar tissue after liver transplant: Any adivce?

Posted by vukadinj @vukadinj, Oct 2, 2023

I am a PT currently working with a patient that is 6 weeks post liver transplant and this patient seems to have such painful scar tissue that it is limiting her ability to walk due to abdominal pain; all scans recently done are negative for any pathology. Any advice? Any other situations out there that are similar? She is prone to keloid scarring - could that make her prone to issues post liver transplant?

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ajdo129 | @ajdo129 | Oct 3, 2023

Hi vukadinj. If your patient can handle gentle massaging at the scar site that has helped me with my liver transplant scar. I still have some sharp pains at some scar areas and some numb areas too after 18 months post surgery but most of the scar area is okay now.
I hope this helps. ajdo129

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Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Oct 3, 2023

@vukadinj, Welcome to Connect. I am a transplant recipient and I don't recall having serious pain or discomfort from scar tissue. Mostly I felt a tightness or a pulling sensation, Like @ajdo129, I found relief with gentle massaging of the scar areas. I do remember feeling pain when I got over aggressive with exercise, and I mentioned it to my transplant team, who told me to ease up, and to gradually increase my exertion. It worked for me.
At 6 weeks, there is a lot of healing going on, It is easy for one of us patients to want to get back to normal too quickly. Patient to patient, I suggest going slowly.

@vukadinj, Have you been in contact with the transplant team?

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vukadinj | @vukadinj | Oct 6, 2023
In reply to @ajdo129 "Hi vukadinj. If your patient can handle gentle massaging at the scar site that has helped..." + (show)
@ajdo129

Hi vukadinj. If your patient can handle gentle massaging at the scar site that has helped me with my liver transplant scar. I still have some sharp pains at some scar areas and some numb areas too after 18 months post surgery but most of the scar area is okay now.
I hope this helps. ajdo129

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Thanks so much!! She is tolerating some massage and it seems to be helping!! She, too has a numb area, but also the possible scar tissue and pain.. we are making slow but steady progress.
I really appreciate all the help!!

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ajdo129 | @ajdo129 | Oct 6, 2023

I am glad the suggestion helped. Barbara aka ajdo129

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kandidubrall | @kandidubrall | Oct 10, 2023

Are you sure she not constipated ?

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